'Sanctuary State' Bill Passes First Assembly Committee

It didn’t garner much attention amid the news of a state budget deal, but a bill to make California a “sanctuary state” has passed its first committee in the Assembly.

Senate Leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) has touted his bill as a vital protection against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.

But Tuesday’s Assembly Public Safety Committee hearing lacked the rallies and crowds from earlier votes, as De León works behind the scenes to head off some of the opposition from California law enforcement groups.

“I think we’re very close – no doubt about it – with regards to the police chiefs,” De León said during the committee hearing. “Sheriffs, they’re just another ball of wax altogether. It’s just, it’s a different culture. It’s a different culture, it’s a different dynamic.”

Tuesday's approval came more than two months after the measure passed the full Senate.

During that time, the Trump administration has narrowed its definition of what would constitute a “sanctuary state” and suggested it would only seek to cut federal funds from a handful of grant programs.

Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool – though not necessarily by choice. Now, he leads Capital Public Radio’s state Capitol coverage, which airs on NPR stations across California. Read Full Bio